Nearly Two Million Tonnes of Cargo Delivered Through the Port of Toronto in 2016

Toronto (March 9, 2017) – In 2016, the Port of Toronto moved 1,874,035 metric tonnes of cargo, marking another strong year for marine imports into the city and once again re-affirming the Port’s position as a vital part of Toronto’s economic infrastructure.

In 2016, 159 ships visited the Port of Toronto, bringing sugar, road salt, cement and aggregate directly into the heart of the city. At 1.87 million metric tonnes, overall port tonnage was up more than 14 per cent in 2016 with cement cargo reaching a twenty-year high at more than 690,000 metric tonnes — representing a 17 per cent increase from 2015. Stone, aggregate and sand cargo levels nearly tripled totalling 166,207 tonnes, while salt imports increased by four per cent. Sugar imports continued to be strong with more than 515,000 tonnes of raw sugar delivered via the port.

In addition, seven passenger cruise ships carrying more than 2,400 passengers visited PortsToronto’s Cruise Ship Terminal last year. In 2017 this number is expected to rise sharply to sixteen ships, bringing more than 5,500 visitors to Toronto from May through to October.

“From the sugar we use to sweeten our coffee to the salt used on our roads to keep drivers safe during the winter months to the concrete used to support the city's booming construction industry, it’s clear the goods delivered through Toronto's port have a significant impact on industry in the city,” said Geoffrey Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, PortsToronto. “In 2016, the Port of Toronto continued to provide Canadian and international businesses with a convenient, sustainable and cost-effective way to bring goods into the heart of the city and underlines the importance of the port as a key contributor to Toronto’s transportation infrastructure and economic strength.”

In addition to its economic impact, increased imports through the port has a positive impact on the environment and traffic congestion given that the nearly two million tonnes of cargo delivered by ship took approximately 47,000, 40-tonne trucks off Toronto's already congested roads and highways. In fact, one tonne of freight can travel 240 kilometres on a single litre of fuel by ship, whereas it can only travel 30 kilometres on the same amount of fuel by truck.

Since 1793, the Port of Toronto has served as Toronto’s gateway to the St. Lawrence Seaway and to marine ports around the world. Serving primarily as a bulk cargo destination, the port boasts a unique location minutes from Toronto’s downtown and moves goods from countries as far away as Germany, South Korea, China, Brazil, Australia, South America and the United States. In addition to managing the movement of ships through the harbour, PortsToronto is the owner and operator of Marine Terminals 51, 52 and the Cruise Ship Terminal within the Port of Toronto.

Visit PortsToronto’s website for key facts on the Port or take a tour of the Port of Toronto and learn about the environmental benefit of marine transportation and the important role the Port plays in Canada's transportation network.

About the Port of Toronto (https://www.portstoronto.com/port-of-toronto.aspx)
The Port of Toronto, one of Canada's largest major inland ports, is situated on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario. For over 100 years, the Port of Toronto has been connecting Toronto to every continent on earth. Located minutes from Toronto’s downtown core, the Port provides a seamless network of cost-effective intermodal links to road, rail and air transportation, serving as a unique and crucial piece of economic infrastructure. In an average year, nearly two million tonnes of cargo pass through Toronto’s Port, taking tens of thousands of trucks off Ontario’s congested highways. In addition to moving cargo, the Port also welcomes cruise ships and passengers from around the globe through the Cruise Ship Terminal. The Port of Toronto continues to be a vital connection to the world, not only boosting tourism and trade, but also helping to lower Toronto’s carbon footprint.

About PortsToronto (http://www.portstoronto.com/)
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed more than 2.7 million passengers in 2016; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Terminals 51 and 52, which provide transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $9 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.